Built to Meet Needs: Cultural Issues in Vernacular Architecture

by Paul Oliver

The study of vernacular architecture explores the characteristics of domestic buildings in particular regions or localities, and the many social and cultural factors that have contributed to their evolution. In this book, vernacular architecture specialist Paul Oliver brings together a wealth of information that spans over two decades, and the whole globe. Some previously unpublished papers, as well as those only available in hard to find conference proceedings, are brought together in one volume to form a fascinating reference for students and professional architects, as well as all those involved with planning housing schemes in their home countries and overseas.

474 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2006

About the author

See http://www2.hud.ac.uk/staffprofiles/s...

Reviews

[Mwansa]

I found this book to be highly informative. Because of it's nature it is a little inconsistent. It's nature being that of talks or papers on varying issues related to the topic at hand. I read it with something else in mind and so whereas it was not exactly what I was looking for when I started it was still an educative read.

A major lesson that I walked away with is the value of a knowledge of history and the context in which the places we design will be placed. We, as designers, end up making the same mistakes as our predecessors because we dive head first into the projects and do not cover the basics. This is not always easy because of time and financial constraints but this makes the value of the planning phase even higher. A well laid out plan will save a project so much in terms of time during and post the design and build phase